V O L U M E 8 , D O C U M E N T 2 6 1 b 5 1
AKS (SzZ, Nachl. H. Zangger, box 1c). [86 540]. The postcard is addressed “Herrn Prof. Dr. Zangger
Bergstrasse Zürich” with return address “Abs. A. Einstein Wittelsbacherstr 13 Berl. Wilmersdorf,”
and postmarked “Berlin-Wilmersdorf 1 27.9.16. 9–10V[ormittags].”
[1]Gunnar Nordström (1881–1923), Privatdozent in theoretical physics at the University of Hel-
singfors (Helsinki), was on a three-year fellowship at the University of Leyden and lodging with Paul
Ehrenfest (see Isaksson 1985, p. 47).
[2]In July 1914, Einstein agreed to pay 5,600 marks (equivalent to 7,000 Swiss francs) per year to
support Mileva Einstein-Maric; and their two sons (see Einstein to Elsa Einstein, 26 July 1914 [Vol. 8,
Doc. 26], note 3).
[3]Zangger, Michele Besso, Emil Zürcher Jr., and his wife, Johanna Zürcher-Siebel, were all help-
ing Mileva Einstein-Maric; manage her household, particularly in the period of her illness (see Ein-
stein to Heinrich Zangger, 25 July 1916 [Vol. 8, Doc. 242], note 4).
[4]Paul Ehrenfest was Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Leyden.
[5]Mileva Einstein-Maric; had recently been ill, diagnosed by Zangger with cerebral tuberculosis
(see Einstein to Michele Besso, 24 August 1916, and Einstein to Heinrich Zangger, 24 August 1916
[Vol. 8, Docs. 251 and 252]).
[6]Due to the Allied blockade of Germany, started in 1915 (Vincent 1985, Roerkohl 1991), and the
failure of the potato harvest in 1916 (see Skalweit 1927, p. 185), the civilian population in wartime
Germany was experiencing extreme economic hardship.
Vol. 8, 261b. To Elsa Einstein
[Leyden,] Donnerstag. [28 September 1916]
Liebe Else!
Ich kam gestern 10½ Uhr wohlbehalten hier an und unterhielt mich noch mit Eh-
renfest und Nordström bis 1
Uhr,[1]
wobei ich den Gerüchten über Aufnahmefähig-
keit vom Osten
zugereister[2]
entsprechend gefüttert wurde. Die hiesigen Men-
schen gefallen mir durch ihr einfaches, anspruchsloses Wesen und durch die hohe
geistige Kultur ausnehmend. Grosser Unterschied! Ich schwimme in Wonne bei
den Diskussionen. Es war wirklich gut, dass ich all diese Mühen auf mich genom-
men
habe,[3]
um diese Luft einige Zeit zu atmen. Aber ich vergesse Euch und be-
sonders Dich deshalb nicht und bin nicht undankbar
Sei mit den Görchen und
Alten[4]
herzlich gegrüsst von Deinem
Albert.
AKS. [143 034]. The postcard is addressed “Frau Elsa Einstein Haberlandstr. 5 Berlin. W.,” with re-
turn address “Afzender. A. Einstein adres.Witte Rozenstraat 28a Leiden,” and postmarked “Leiden 2
28.IX.16. 1–2N[amiddag].”
[1]Paul Ehrenfest, with whom Einstein was staying (see the preceding document); Gunnar Nord-
ström, who lodged with Ehrenfest.
[2]An ironic reference to (the mostly Jewish) refugees from eastern Europe.
[3]Einstein had needed a formal invitation to the Netherlands and had paid at least one visit to the
German Foreign Office to solve his passport problems (see Einstein to Paul Ehrenfest, 25 August
1916 [Vol. 8, Doc. 253]).
[4]Ilse and Margot Einstein and Rudolf and Fanny Einstein.
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